







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Well, I'm used to getting bad news today, what's that? | |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | |
| No, I won't... I don't want a house in Mayfair anymore! | |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | |
| Yes, that's the one. | |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | |
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |
| Do you live in this house, too? | |
| Isn't that funny? | |
| Is it because it's too violent? | |
| What's your favourite movie? | |
| How much garlic do you want? | |
| Yeah, I think this wardrobe is too small for two people. | |
| All of my work is in that laptop and I don't have any backup! | |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | |
| That's nice, I like the music and the lyrics. | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | |
| Anyway, do you live around here, too? | |